Mike Reiss

Mike Reiss is an accomplished television comedy writer best known for his extensive work on "The Simpsons," where he served as a showrunner, writer, and producer. His career spans four decades, during which he has contributed significantly to animation and comedy writing. After graduating from Harvard University in the early 1980s, Reiss began his television career writing for various shows before joining "The Simpsons" in its early seasons. He partnered with Al Jean to create "The Critic," an animated series featuring the adventures of a film critic, and later developed "Queer Duck," one of the first animated series to feature an openly gay main character. Beyond television, Reiss has written several successful screenplays, including "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" and "The Simpsons Movie." He has also authored children's books and maintains a connection to his alma mater Harvard, despite his openly critical stance toward the institution. His contributions to television comedy have earned him multiple Emmy Awards and a lasting influence on animated programming. Reiss continues to write and produce, maintaining an active career in the entertainment industry since 1983.

Readers appreciate Reiss's behind-the-scenes insights about The Simpsons in his book "Springfield Confidential," noting his candid writing style and humor. Many comment on his ability to explain comedy writing processes without diminishing the magic of the show. What readers liked: - Detailed anecdotes about The Simpsons' creation - Clear explanation of joke-writing techniques - Balance of industry information and personal stories - Accessible writing style that matches his comedy work What readers disliked: - Some found his children's books too simplistic - Several mentioned his Harvard references feel repetitive - A few noted his comedy can be predictable in written form Ratings across platforms: - "Springfield Confidential" - 4.2/5 on Goodreads (2,500+ ratings) - "How Murray Saved Christmas" - 4.4/5 on Amazon (150+ ratings) - "The Simpsons Episode Guide" - 3.9/5 on Goodreads (800+ ratings) One reader noted: "Reiss gives you the perfect mix of insider knowledge and comedy writing wisdom without getting bogged down in industry speak."

Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons A memoir detailing Reiss's experiences as a writer and producer for The Simpsons, including behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the show's creation process.

How Murray Saved Christmas A children's holiday story about a deli owner who must fill in for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

Late for School A children's picture book following a boy's increasingly outlandish journey to reach school on time.

The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln A children's book about a student who bears an uncanny resemblance to Abraham Lincoln and learns to embrace his unique appearance.

How Murray Saved Christmas: The Musical An expanded musical adaptation of the original children's book, featuring additional characters and songs.

Not in Room 204 A children's book addressing child abuse prevention through the story of a teacher who helps protect her students.

Al Jean Fellow Simpsons writer and showrunner who shares Reiss's Harvard background and comedy sensibilities. He co-created The Critic with Reiss and has written numerous books about television writing and The Simpsons.

James L. Brooks Television producer and writer who developed The Simpsons and shares Reiss's approach to character-driven comedy. His work spans both live-action and animation, focusing on witty dialogue and social commentary.

David Javerbaum Former head writer of The Daily Show who writes comedy books and creates satirical content similar to Reiss's style. He has authored multiple humor books and brings a similar intellectual approach to comedy writing.

Matt Groening Creator of The Simpsons who writes comic strips and children's content with similar humor to Reiss's work. His books and comics feature the same blend of smart humor and cultural references that characterize Reiss's writing.

Jon Vitti Television writer who worked extensively on The Simpsons and shares Reiss's background in Harvard comedy writing. He has written for both animation and live-action shows, maintaining a similar comedic voice across multiple formats.